Review of Lord of War (2005) by Jane — 07 Oct 2005

Niccol dares to deal with how the international traffic in weapons affects us without most people even being aware of it. And he does it with savvy. I have not yet read a review that mentions the key distinction Lord of War makes between Yuri Orlov and Simeon Weisz, the two primary arms dealers shown here.

Weisz (Ian Holm), who works with the CIA, says his aim is to change governments; he deals for a political purpose. Orlov (Nicolas Cage) does it because "I'm good at it" and he goes where the money is, not caring who gets the weapons.

He also sells for the U.S. Government but, in addition, he makes his own deals, willy-nilly. Weisz believes his motivation is superior to Orlov's. Orlov challenges Weisz, reminding him that he (for the CIA) sold weapons to both Iran and Iraq (to use against each other).

Weisz fires back that he wanted both of them to lose. There is no moral difference between these two men but their remarks about their own motivations provoke thoughts that ricochet against what we see happening in the world today.

It's a thrilling insight and there are many like it in this shockingly (because it's in the multiplexes) profound view. Unfortunately many people will probably not understand exactly what they are seeing, and Lord of War may not get the recognition that it deserves.

Jane Franklin.